Process of wet and dry creaseproofing cellulose fabrics with a pyridinium salt of a di-chloromethyl ether and rubber latex, bleaching the fabrics, and fabrics produced thereby



3,076,688 Patented Feb. 5, 1963 PROCESS OF WET AND DRY CREASEPROOFHNG CELLULGSE FABRICS WITH A PYRKDINFUM ALT F A DlI-CHLORUMETHY L ETHER AND RUBBER LATEX, ELEACHPING THE FABRICS, AND FABRICS PRODUCED THEREBY Francis Kosher, Saint-Amarin, France, assignor to Traitoments Chimiques des Textiles, 5A., Vieux-Thann (Haut-Rhin), France No Drawing. Filed Aug. 28, 1959, Ser. No. 836,619

6 Claims. (Cl. 8108) This invention relates to treatment of cellulosic textile fabrics to impart wash and wear and crease resistance characteristics, and more particularly to such a process in which a special type of chemical compound is used for obtaining these properties to a markedly improved extent and at the same time avoid the disadvantages that have accompanied prior processes.

The term wash and wear as used herein, applies to fabrics that have been processed so as to permit garments made from them to be worn without the necessity of ironing after washing, or at least minimize ironing requirements, due to the fact that wrinkling of the washed and dried garments is substantially reduced as compared with garments made from untreated fabrics. The term crease resistance means that property of the fabric, or garment made therefrom, of being relatively resistant to creasing or wrinkling when wet and also when dry.

The currently most common procedure for producing wash-and-wear and crease resistant cellulosic fabrics comprises treating the fabrics with a resinous compound such as, for example the dimethylol ethylene urea and triazone type of resins. These resins impregnate the fabric and function to a limited extent, but do not produce permanent wash-and-wear and crease resistance in cellulosic fabrics. They are subject to being washed out or removed upon repeated washing of the goods, so that the wash and wear and crease resistant features are lost or substantially reduced before the garment has served its full intended purpose.

Fabrics treated with aminoaldehyde type resins have the disadvantage of retaining chlorine, which deteriorates the fabric, when laundered, particularly in the commercial laundries where acid sours and hypochlorites or other bleaching compounds containing chlorine are used. Also, the amine type resins frequently used in Wash and wear fabrics, leave in the fabric an undesirable fishy odor.

The above mentioned resins do not react with the cellulose to give the desired maximum and permanent washand-wear and crease resistance properties. Certain other chemical compounds which have been tried heretofore are intended to modify chemically the cellulose molecule so as to crosslink adjacent molecules with the compound and thereby impart to the fabric, wash and wear and crease resistance characteristics. These processes have been few in number as compared with the above mentioned resin treatments, and have been only partially successful. Some of them involve chemicals that are difficult to apply, and, in general, they are subject to the objection of substantial loss in strength in the fabric. Moreover, some of them do not provide the required crease resistance, especially in the dry fabric, even when they give a wash-and-wear property.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided chemical modification of cellulosic fabrics, with a special type of polyfiunctional chemical compound, that substantally overcomes the above described objections and limitations that characterize the prior proposals. Fabrics treated with this particular type of chemical compound and in accordance with an improved procedure, exhibit the following desired properties:

(a) Good wash and wear appearance, i.e. relatively free of wrinkles after washing and drying, and with no ironing;

(b) Permanent wash and wear effect after numerous washings of the garment with soap and boiling water;

(0) Permanent dimensional stability against progressive shrinkage on repeated washings;

(d) Entire freedom from chlorine retention after use 0 acid sours or chlorine bleaches;

(e) High wet crease resistance;

( Exceptionally high dry crease resistance as compared with other chemical modification processes;

(g) Relatively low loss in strength as compared with other prior processes;

(11) Good whiteness in white goods;

(i) No fishy, amine, formaldehyde or other objectionable odor;

(j) Good hand or feel to the fabric;

(k) Chemical modification of the cellulose molecule (crossdinking which imparts desired permanent crease resistance and excellent wash and wear effect).

Some of the prior wash-and-wear fabrics have possessed certain of the above desirable properties but have fallen short of others. Based on a study of various commercially known wash-and-wear products and processes and those disclosed in the prior patents and publications, it has been found that none of them possesses all of the foregoing properties that characterize the product and process of this invention.

The permanency of the wash-and-wear effect of the present invention, which permits garments produced from the treated fabrics to be worn with little or no ironing after washing many times, is markedly superior to the usual wash-and-wear products available today. Most of the prior products show a progressive decrease in wash-and-wear and crease resistance with repeated washings, which indicates that the resin impregnant used is gradually washed out. The bifunctional, trifunctional or other polyfunctional compounds used in accordance with this invention, are particularly effective for treating cellulosic textiles, so as to effect chemical modification of the cotton or other cellulosic material and thereby provide permanent wash-and-wear and crease-resistant properties.

Certain of the prior wash-and-wear fabrics exhibit crease or wrinkle resistance when the fabric is wet but have substantially no crease or Wrinkle resistance when the fabric is dry. Accordingly, garments made from these fabrics are not resistant to wrinkling even though they may have appreciable wash-and-wear properties. The fabric of the present invention has the advantage of possessing both wet and dry crease resistance.

It is generally known that the resins applied to fabrics for producing Wash-and-wear effects cause a marked decrease in tensile strength, especially in the filling. Percentage decreases run as high as 40% to 50%. The chemical compound used in accordance with this invention holds the losses in tensile strength to about 25% to 40%.

The above listed combination of desirable characteristics has been obtained, for the first time, in accordance with this invention, by treating cellulosic textile fabrics with a pyridinium salt of a di or other polymethyl ether (polymethoxy) halide having two or more (OCH HAL) groups and being bifunctional or poly functional in nature, which makes it suitable for chemical modification of the cellulose upon impregnation of the fabric therewith and heating to a suitably high temperature.

A specific bifunctional form of this type of compound that has been used with good success for obtaining the above properties, is the pyridinium salt of ethane diol 1-2 dichloromethyl ether. Instead of pyridine, other water soluble quaternary salts of a nitrogenous base might be used, but from the standpoints of availability and established function pyridine is presently preferred.

A particularly important property of the type of compound used in the present invention for effecting good Wash and wear and crease resistance, is its bifunctional nature that adapts it for efficient reaction with the cellulose of the celulosic fabrics. In contrast thereto, similar compounds but mo-nofunctional in nature, do not give the markedly improved results that characterize this invention. The desirable bifunctional nature of the compound used in the present process is due to the fact that the compound has two of the reactive groups (OCH HAL) that are available for reacting with the cellulose molecule to effect cross-linking and thereby good wash-and-wear and crease-resistance effects.

The type compound that has made possible for the first time the unusually good results of the present invention may be identified generically, as a lower (1 to 8 carbon atoms) alkyl or cyclic alkyl polynalo methoxy pyridinium salt. The above mentioned pyridinium salt of ethane diol 1,2 dichloromethyl ether is the presently preferred form. The pyridinium salt of the corresponding triol or higher polyol compound might also be used, although the above diol product has given outstanding results and may be advantageously used. The halo radical may be obtained by use of the halogens, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and fluorine. From the standpoint of availability, cost, and maximum effectiveness, the chlorine halogen is presently preferred.

A fundamentally important component of the special compound used in this invention is the methoxy or methyl ether (OCH group, and to provide the important bifunctional property of the compound, two of these groups should be present. Also, they should be halogenated so as to provide two halo methoxy groups, e .g. 2 (-OCH Cl). The compound being in the form of a pyridinium salt is water soluble, which renders it especially suitable for application to the cellulosic fabric in water solution or dispersion form, and without the necessity of using any organic solvents.

The preferred compound for use in the present invention, namely, the pyridinium salt of ethane diol 1,2 dichloromethyl ether, may be prepared by first reacting two moles of formaldehyde with one mole of ethylene glycol and saturating the resultant mixture with hydrogen chloride. This produces the ethane 1,2 diol dichloromethyl ether and the pyridinium salt is obtained by reacting with pyridine in stoichiometric quantity.

For imparting wash and wear and crease resistance properties to cellulosic fabrics they may be treated with an aqueous solution of the above mentioned pyridiniurn salt of the dichloro methoxy compound, followed by drying of the treated fabric and then heating sufilciently to effect chemical reaction between the cellulose of the fabric and the compound. For improving the dry crease resistance, and hand of the fabric and for minimizing the strength loss, the fabric may be treated with a latex in addition to the methoxy compound. The latex may be applied to the fabric alone, followed by application of the methoxy compound, and the latex may be composed of natural or synthetic rubber.

An illustrative non-limiting example of the process of this invention for treating cotton fabric to impart all of the above described properties is as follows:

Example 1 In this example the process is carried out in two steps, first with a synthetic rubber latex and then with the methoxy compound. The rubber latex is used in the form of a thin aqueous dispersion of the following composition:

50 grams per liter synthetic rubber latex sold under the trade name Hycar 1562 (acrylo nitrile butadiene) 2 grams per liter of polyvinyl alcohol sold under the trade name Elvanol 10 grams per liter of polyethylene oxide condensate The latex in the above formula is the principal ingredient and the other two materials are in the nature of additives. The polyvinyl alcohol is an aid for obtaining the desired hand in the fabric, and the polyethylene oxide condensate is a softening agent.

The first step in this process is to pass the cotton cloth in open width through a bath containing the above latex composition so as to impregnate the cloth with the composition, and then pass the cloth between press rolls which remove the excess solution and leave in the cloth approximately 70% wet pickup.

The impregnated cloth is then dried on a conventional tenter frame which is operated at approximately yards (110 meters) per minute and on which the cloth is heated to approximately 110 C. for about 10 to 15 seconds.

After drying on the tenter frame the cloth is passed over a coo-l roll maintained at about 50 C. and the cloth is wound up on a roll and at this point contains approximately 5% moisture.

The next step in the process is to treat the cloth, which is now impregnated with the latex, with a solution of the above mentioned ethane diol 1,2 dichloromethyl ether pyridinium compound. In the dry state this product is in the form of a white powder and a solution thereof is produced according to the following formula:

Metho-xy compound grams per liter 68 Sodium acetate do 18 Water liters 300 The sodium acetate, above, functions as a buffer to avoid an excessive decrease in the pH during the course of the reaction which would otherwise deteriorate the c ot 1.

The methoxy dry white powder, and the sodium acetate dissolve in the water very easily with stirring at room temperature and the aqueous composition is in the form of a water-like thin liquid.

This composition is padded onto the above mentioned impregnated dry cloth and the further impregnated cloth pressed between squeeze rolls so as to effect a wet pickup of approximately 70-75%.

The cloth thus treated is next passed through a loop drier operated at about 80 C. and the cloth maintained in the drier for a period of about 7 minutes to dry it to a moisture content of approximately 5%. Drying at a relatively low temperature of about 50 C. to 80 C. is preferred to avoid premature decomposition of the methoxy compound.

The next step in the process is mechanical in nature and is designed to improve the hand or feel of the cloth. This is accomplished by running the dry cloth between a moistened rubber belt and a heated metal cylinder and then around a drying reel from which the cloth may be either wound up or folded into a box. This treatment improves the softness of the cloth and removes some of the Wrinkles that have occurred during the previous processing of the cloth.

In the next step the cloth is run through a heated oven in which it is subjected to a temperature of approximately C. for about 8 minutes. This high temperature heat treatment is for the purpose of causing the methoxy compound to react with the cellulose of the fabric. It is also possible that this heat treatment causes some reaction between the methoxy compound and the rubber latex, which would improve the wash and wear properties.

After heating of the cloth as just described, it is rolled up and permitted to stand for approximately two hours to provide further opportunity for the reaction or reactions above mentioned to take place, and to obtain greater uniformity in the product between the treated cloth which is first rolled up and the cloth which is finished last.

111 the next step in the process the cloth after standing in roll form for about two hours is run through an open width washer to remove excess or unreacted chemicals. In this washer the cloth passes successively through several cold water baths and then through a bath containing sodium carbonate in a concentration of grams per liter and a moistening agent in a concentration of /2 gram per liter maintained at 70 C. for neutralizing the cloth. At the exit end of this washer the wet cloth is run through squeeze rolls and then rolled up in wet form. The wet roll is permitted to stand for about one hour so as to enable the remaining traces of pyridine to leave the cloth and thereby avoid any residual pyridine odor.

After standing for one hour in the wet roll, the cloth is passed again through the open width Washer in which the cloth is washed in several stages with hot water and is then run through a cold water bath containing sodium bicarbonate and finally the cloth is run through a bath containing two grams per liter available chlorine and is batched up in Wet form.

The cloth in wet roll form is permitted to stand for two hours so as to effect bleaching of the cloth with the chlorine which has been added in the last stage above mentioned.

Following the chlorination during this two hour period, the cloth is washed again first in cold water then in sodium hydrogen sulfite in a concentration of 1 gram per liter and finally in cold water.

Following this cold water washing stage the cloth is dried on a tenter frame and is then run over a conventional calendar to provide a smooth ironed effect, free of wrinkles, following which it is ready for shipment.

In the above described process as well as in other illustrative examples of the present invention, the latex and methoxy compound impregnating solutions will contain usually about 5% to by weight of active compounds. Also, the impregnating procedures may be carried out at room temperature or with heated solutions as desired but there is no particular advantage in using elevated temperatures since the solutions are easily formed at room temperature and may be easily applied to the fabric at room temperature. Drying of the impregnated fabric and reacting of the chemical impregnants With the cellulosic fabric are carried out at elevated temperatures as described above. The heat treatment for etfecting chemical reaction will usually be carried out at temperatures between 130 C. and 160 C. and for a period of time of about 5 to 15 minutes. In most cases a temperature of approximately 145 C.-150 C. and a treating time of 8-10 minutes is advantageous.

Further specific examples of the essential steps involved in treating cotton textile materials to provide wash and wear, crease resistance, and other important properties, in accordance with this invention are as follows:

Example 2 The cotton textile material is impregnated with a suspension containing:

Natural or synthetic rubber latex (40% of dry extract) a 50 Water "cc 1000 After drying under the usual conditions, the textile material is impregnated with the following solution:

Pyridinium salt of ethane-diol 1-2 dichloromethyl ether g 60 Sodium acetate g Water cc 1000 Example 3 First impregnation:

Natural or synthetic rubber latex (40% dry extract) g 50 Polyvinyl alcohol g 4 Water cc 1000 After drying under the usual conditions, the textile material is impregnated in the following solution.

2nd impregnation:

Pyridinium salt of ethane diol 1-2 dichloromethyl ether g 60 Sodium acetate g 20 Water cc 1000 The textile material is treated in the manner described in Example 2.

Example 4 First impregnation:

Natural or artificial rubber latex (40% dry extract) g 50 Polyvinyl alcohol g 2 Water or 1000 After drying under the usual conditions, the textile terial is impregnated in the following solution.

2nd impregnation:

Pyridinium salt of ethane diol 1-2 dichloromethyl ether g 60 Sodium acetate g 20 Waterproofing and softening products (for example Primeni t VS) g 20 Water cc 1000 The textile material is treated in the manner described in Example 2.

Example 5 First impregnation:

Natural or synthetic rubber latex (40 to 60% of dry extract) g 60 Water cc 1000 After drying under the usual conditions, the textile material is impregnated in the following solution.

Second impregnation:

Pyridine salt of polychloromethyl ether of glycerin g 60 Sodium acetate g 20 Water cc 1000 Warp 60 Weft 60 The washings were effected for 30 minutes in baths containing:

5 g./ litre of soap 2 g./litre of sodium carbonate The test for damage by retention of chlorine was carried out according to the Tentative Test Method, No. 69-52, of the American Assoc. of Textile Chemist and Colorist, vol. 29.

aorasss 1 washing washings 1 washing 5 washings After After After After at 60 C. at (50 C. at 100 C. at 100 C. extraction extraction extract-ion treatment during during during during with with with 30 min. 5x30 in. 30 min. 5X30 m. ether alcohol acetone Crease resistant angles (dry):

140 140 140 140 140 veft 140 135 135 135 130 Shrinkage, Percent:

warp 0 0 0 0 Weft 0. 25 O. 25 0. 25 0.50 Chlorine retention, percent 0.02

In the above identified steps, it is desirable to maintain the cloth in open width at all times to minimize wrinkling of the cloth which would otherwise occur if treated in rope or similar form.

The cellulosic textile fabrics that may be used in accordance with the present invention include principally fabrics produced from natural fibers and especially cotton. The process may be applied to cellulosic fabrics containing in Whole or in part rayon fibers.

Also, fabrics treated in accordance with this invention may include in addition to the cellulosic fibers, some synthetic fibers such as for example, Dacron, nylon, Orlon, Arnel, Acrilan, etc. An illustrative but non limiting example would be a fabric containing approximately 65% Dacron fiber and 35% cotton fiber blended before spinning. Similarly, the fabric may be composed of synthetic continuous filament yarns and cellulosic yarn.

Fabrics suitable for use in the present invention include woven or non-woven textile fabrics and knitted textile fabrics.

Illustrative but non limiting examples of woven textile fabrics which are especially suitable for use in this invention and for ultimate manufacture of mens shirts, ladies dresses, etc. are broadcloth, poplin, oxford cloth, etc.; also, twills and drills used for work clothes and service uniforms.

Illustrative but non limiting examples of knitted textile fabrics which are suitable for use in this invention are rib knit, flat knit, and tubular knit fabrics, and tricot fabrics. Products made from such fabrics include underwear, dresses, socks and gloves.

In addition, the process may be applied advantageously to bed clothes such as sheets and pillow cases and drapery and diapers, which can be washed and hung up for drip drying.

As indicated in Examples 1-8 given hereinabove, the preferred methoxy compound to be used in imparting wash and wear and crease-resistant properties to the cloth is ethane diol 1,2 dichloromethyl ether. However, as stated in the general description hereinabove, other bifunotional or polyfunctional compounds having two or more OCH HAL groups may be employed. Other specific examples of these being:

Butane diol 1-4 dichloromethyl ether Cyclohexane diol 1-4 dichloromethyl ether Cyclohexane diol 1-2 dichloromethyl ether Cyclohexane diol 1-3 dichloromethyl ether Butane diol 2-3 dichloromethyl ether 2 butyl diol l-4 dichloromethyl ether Glycerol triol 1-2-3 trichloromethyl ether Also, in any of the foregoing Examples 1 to 8, there may be used in addition to the compounds disclosed therein, an aqueous solution of formaldehyde, for the purpose of improving the wash and wear appearance of the treated fabric and the dry crease resistance of the fabric. The amount of formaldehyde thus used should be sufiicient to effect a worthwhile improvement in the properties of the treated fabric, but limited so as to avoid too great a decrease in the tensile strength of the fabric for practical effects. An illustrative example of the amount of formaldehyde which has been used in this manner with good results is cc. of 30% formaldehyde solution per liter of the total treated solution.

It is to be understood that the term polyfunctional as used herein, is intended to cover bifunctional, trifunctioual or higher compounds.

This application is a continuation-in-part of Francis Kocher application Serial No. 727,285, filed April 9, 1958, now abandoned.

Various modifications and changes may be made in the foregoing description without departing from the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A process for treating cellulose textile fabrics to impart permanent wash and wear and wet and dry crease resistant properties comprising the steps of impregnating said fabric in open width form with an aqueous dispersion comprising a latex selected from the group consisting of natural rubber latex and acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber latex; drying the latex treated fabric to about 5% moisture content while said fabric is maintained fiat and free of wrinkles; impregnating the fabric in open width form with a composition comprising a buffer which avoids an excessive decrease in pH during the course of the reaction and a polymethoxy halide compound selected from the group consisting of pyridinium salt of ethane diol 1-2 dichloromethyl ether, pyridinium salt of butane diol 1-4 dichloromethyl ether, pyridinium salt of cyclohexane diol 1-4 dichloromethyl ether, pyridinium salt of cyclohexane diol 1-2 dichloromethyl ether, pyridinium salt of cyclohexane diol 1-3 dichloromethyl ether, pyridinium salt of butane diol 2-3 dichloromethyl ether, pyridinium salt of 2 butyl diol 1-4 dichloromethyl ether, pyridinium salt of glycerol triol 1-2-3 trichloromethyl ether; and thereafter heating said fabric while maintained flat and free of wrinkles at a temperature adequate to cause the cellulose to react with the polymethoxy compound.

2. A cellulose textile fabric produced according to the process defined in claim 1.

3. A process for treating cellulose textile fabric to impart permanent wash and wear and wet and dry crease resistant properties comprising the steps of impregnating said fabric in open width form with an aqueous dispersion comprising a latex selected from the group consisting of natural rubber latex and acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber latex; drying the latex treated fabric while said fabric is maintained flat and free of wrinkles; impregnating the fabric in open width form with a composition comprising sodium acetate buffer and a polymethoxy halide compound selected from the group consisting of pyridinium salt of ethane diol 1-2 dichloromethyl ether, pyridinium salt of butane diol 1-4 dichloromethyl'ether, pyridinium salt of cyclohexane diol 1-4 dichloromethyl ether, pyridinium salt of cyclohexane diol 1-2 dichloromethyl ether, pyridinium salt of cyclohexane diol 1-3 dichloromethyl ether, pyridinium salt of butane diol 2-3 dichloromethyl ether, pyridinium salt of 2 butyl diol 1-4 dichloromethyl ether, pyridinium salt of glycerol triol 1-2-3 trichloromethyl ether; and thereafter heating said fabric while maintained flat and free of Wrinkles for about to 15 minutes at a temperature within the range of 130 C. to 160 C.

4. A cellulose textile fabric produced according to the process defined in claim 3.

5. A process for treating cellulose textile fabric to impart permanent wash and wear and wet and dry crease resistant properties comprising the steps of impregnating the fabric while in open width form with an aqueous composition containing 50 grns. per liter of acrylonitrilebutadiene rubber latex, 2 gms. per liter of polyvinyl alcohol and gms. per liter of polyethylene oxide condensate; passing the fabric between pressure rolls to permit about 70% wet pick-up of the latex; drying the fabric while flat and free of wrinkles for about 10 to seconds at 110 C. to give 5% moisture content; passing the fabric over a roll maintained at C.; winding the fabric on a roll while it contains approximately 5% moisture; padding onto the fabric an aqueous solution containing 18 gins. per liter of sodium acetate and 68 gms. per liter of a polymethoxy halide compound selected from the group consisting of pyridinium salt of ethane diol 1-2 dichloromethyl ether, pyridinium salt of butane diol 1-4-dichloromethyl ether, pyridinium salt of cyclohexane diol 1-4 dichloromethyl ether, pyridinium salt of cyclohexane diol 1-2 dichloromethyl ether, pyridinium salt of cyclohexane diol 1-3 dichloromethyl ether, pyridinium salt of butane diol 2-3 dichloromethyl ether, pyridinium salt of 2 butyl diol 1-4 dichloromethyl ether, pyridinium salt of glycerol triol 1-2-3 trichloromethyl ether; passing the fabric between pressure rolls to permit %75% Wet pick-up of the polymethoxy compound; heating the fabric in open width form for about 7 minutes at C. to provide 5% moisture content; passing the fabric between a moistened rubber belt and a heated metal cylinder and around a drying reel for de-wrinkling and softness improvement; heating the fabric for 8 minutes at C. to cause reaction between the cellulose and the polymethoxy compound; rolling-up the cloth and permitting it to stand for two hours; washing the fabric in open width form in Water; passing the fabric through a weak aqueous sodium carbonate solution; passing the fabric between pressure rollers; rolling-up the fabric in wet form and allowing it to stand for one hour; washing the fabric in open width form with hot water; passing the fabric through a cold water bath containing sodium bicarbonate; bleaching the fabric; washing the fabric in water; washing the fabric with a 1 gm. per liter aqueous sodium hydrogen sulfite solution; washing the fabric with water; drying the fabric in open Width form; and finally calendering the fabric.

6. A cellulose textile fabric produced according to the process defined in claim 5.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,253,102 Walker Aug. 19, 1941 2,304,252 Hager Dec. 8, 1942 2,441,859 Weisberg May 18, 1948 2,602,723 Rogers July 8, 1952 2,731,368 Fortess Jan. 17, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 518,225 Great Britain Feb. 21, 1940 OTHER REFERENCES Shapiro: American Dyestutf Reporter, March 1, 1954, pp. P132-P140. 

5. A PROCESS FOR TREATING CELLULOSE TEXTILE FABRIC TO IMPART PERMANENT WASH AND WEAR AND WET AND DRY CREASE RESISTANT PROPERTIES COMPRISING THE STEPS OF IMPREGNATING THE FABRIC WHILE IN OPEN WIDTH FORM WITH AN AQUEOUS COMPOSITION CONTAINING 50 GMS, PER LITER OF ACRYONITRILEBUTADIENE RUBBER LATEX 2GMS PER LITER OF POLYVINYL ALCOHOL AND 10 GMS. PR LITER OF POLYETHYLENE OXIDE CONDENSATE PASSING THE FABRIC BETWEEN PRESSURE ROLLS TO PERMIT ABOUT 70% WET PICK-UP OF THE LATEX, DRYING THE FABRIC WHILE FLAT AND FREE OF WRINKLES FOR ABOUT 10 TO 15 SECONDS AT 110*C. TO GIVE 5% MOISTURE CONTENT, PASSING THE FABRIC 15GMS. PER LITER OF SODIM ACETATE AND 68 GM PER LITER OF OVER A ROLL MAINTAINED AT 50*C., WINDING THE FABRIC AN A ROLL WHILE AT TIT CONTAINS APPROXIMATELY 5% MOISTURE PADDING ONTO THE FABRIC AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION CONTAINING 18 A POLYMETHOXY HALIDE COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF PYRIDINIUM SALT OF ETHANE DIOL 1-2 DICHLOROMETHYL ETHER PYRIDINIUM SALT OF BUTANE DIOL 1-4-DICHLOROCHLOROMETHYL ETHER PYRIDINIUM SALT OF CYCLOHEXANE DIOL 1-2 DICHLOROMETHYL ETHER, PURIDINIUM SALT OF CYCLOHEXANE DIOL 1-3 DICHLOROMETHYL ETHER PYRIDINIUM SALT OF BUTANE DIOL 2-3 DICHLOROMETHYL ETHER, PRIDINIUM SALT OF 2 BUTYL DIOL 1-4 DICHLOROMETHYL ETHER, PYRIDINIUM SALT OF GLYCEROL TRIOL 1-2-3 TRICHLOROMETHYL ETHER, PASSING THE FABRIC BETWEEN PRESSURE ROLLS TO PERMIT 7/%-75% WET PICK-UP OF THE POLYMETHOXY COMPOUND HEATING THE FABRIC IN OPEN WIDTH FORM FOR ABOUT MINUTES AT 80*C. TO PROVIDE 5% MOISTURE CONTENT, PASSING THE FABRIC BETWEEN A MOISTENED RUBBER BELT AND A HEATED METAL CYLINDER AND AROUND A DRYING REEL FOR DE-WRINKLING AND SOFTNESS IMPROVEMENT, HEATING THE FABRIC FOR 8 MINUTES AT 150*C. TO CAUSE REACTION BETWEEN THE CELLULOSE AND THE POLYMETHOXY COMPOUND, ROLLING-UP THE CLOTH AND PERMITTING IT TO STAND FOR TWO HOURS, WASHING THE FABRIC IN OPEN WIDTH FORM IN WATER, PASSING THE FABRIC THROUGH A WEAK AQUEOUS SODIUM CARBONATE SOLUTION, PASSING THE FABRIC BETWEEN PRESSURE ROLLERS, ROLLING-UP THE FABRIC IN WET FORM AND ALLOWING IT TO STAND FOR ONE HOUR, WASHING THE FABRIC ON OPEN WIDTH FORM WITH HOT WATER PASSING THE FABRIC THROUGH A COLD WATER BATH CONTAINING SODIUM BICARBONATE, BLEACHING THE FABRIC, WASHING THE FABRIC IN WATER, WASHING THE FABRIC WITH A 1GM, PER LITER AQUEOUS SODIUM HYDROGEN SULFITE SOLUTION, WASHING THE FABRIC WITH WATER, DRYING THE FABRIC IN PEN WIDTH FORM, AND FINALLY CALENDERING THE FABRIC. MRYHYL ETHER, PYRIDINIUM SALT OF CYCLOHEXANE DROL 1-4 D 